About This Book
A parent might reach for this book when their child is feeling like an outsider in a new place, struggling to manage big feelings of frustration or loneliness. Twelve-year-old Diana has moved to England for a year with her mother and escapes her unhappiness by daydreaming about queens and castles. She feels utterly alone until she meets Mr. Lan, her eccentric, elderly neighbor who shares her fascination with royalty and her frustrations with a world that doesn't feel right. This quiet, character-driven story for ages 8 to 12 gently explores an unlikely intergenerational friendship. It validates the use of imagination as a coping mechanism and provides a comforting model for how connecting with others can help us feel understood and less alone.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with anger and frustration, primarily through the character of Mr. Lan, who has temperamental outbursts related to his age and failing dexterity. His anger is frightening to Diana at first but becomes relatable. The approach is secular and psychological. The resolution is hopeful and realistic, showing that their friendship helps them cope but does not magically erase their core difficulties.
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